*note*I'm a new user to Ask Ubuntu and I've only recently switched to Ubuntu 12.04.

When I try to open the software center (Ubuntu 12.04 32-bit) it will flash open, load for maybe 1-2 seconds, and then close.

When i try using:

sudo apt-get purge software center
sudo apt-get install
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

I get this within the terminal:

Reading package lists... Error!
E: Problem parsing dependency Depends
E: Error occurred while processing printer-driver-hpcups (NewVersion2)
E: Problem with MergeList /var/lib/dpkg/status
E: The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.

*The problem fixed itself after I shut down my laptop for the night and turned it back on to check my e-mail this afternoon. If anyone could tell me how to fix this problem in the future please do, I would like to learn about these kind of things because i don't plan on putting windows on my laptop again :P *